No Spark no start

wwitten · May 21, 2020

Hello, been a while since I’ve been on this forum or on my bike.
Have a TX650 which has been garaged for about a year due to illness. Have kept bike on battery tender and start her up at least once a month.
Went to start her up today and give us both some exercise and it was a no go.
So far battery checks out fine, carbs getting gas to cylinders, but no spark. Checked points have 12 volts. Crank engine with plugs out of cylinders but grounded no spark. If I separate points by hand with ignition on can get right side plug to spark. Also sparks between points. Points were replaced three years ago and show no pitting and no blackened and no oil on surface. I am assuming at this point need to replace the condensers, but before pulling tank, etc wanted to check in for any other suggestions.
Thanks

Jim · May 21, 2020

wwitten said:
Hello, been a while since I’ve been on this forum or on my bike.
Have a TX650 which has been garaged for about a year due to illness. Have kept bike on battery tender and start her up at least once a month.
Went to start her up today and give us both some exercise and it was a no go.
So far battery checks out fine, carbs getting gas to cylinders, but no spark. Checked points have 12 volts. Crank engine with plugs out of cylinders but grounded no spark. If I separate points by hand with ignition on can get right side plug to spark. Also sparks between points. Points were replaced three years ago and show no pitting and no blackened and no oil on surface. I am assuming at this point need to replace the condensers, but before pulling tank, etc wanted to check in for any other suggestions.
Thanks

Did you try re-gapping the points?

wwitten · May 21, 2020

Jim said:
Did you try re-gapping the points?

Points were checked gapped and timed correctly
With plugs completely removed from cylinders grounded and ignition on there is no spark on either plug while engine is cranking. If I leave ignition on and manually open closed point I get a spark across the points and on one of the plugs.

xjwmx · May 21, 2020

wwitten said:
Have kept bike on battery tender and start her up at least once a month.
...Checked points have 12 volts....

If you mean literally 12 volts, your battery isn't charged. I would try to charge the battery. the difference between 12v and 13v is dead and fully charged

wwitten · May 21, 2020

xjwmx said:
If you mean literally 12 volts, your battery isn't charged. I would try to charge the battery. the difference between 12v and 13v is dead and fully charged

All I meant was I have voltage at the points, yes battery is greater than 12volts

xjwmx · May 21, 2020

i'm not a points iggy guy, just a battery voltage guy

wwitten · May 22, 2020

Well have to correct myself, in daylight the points are a little blacken and one starting to show a little pitting. It wasnt the best lighting last night.
As my senior mind recalls, one old time way to check the condensors was to see if a spark would cross the points if opened manually with ignition on as the condenser were there to eliminate the stray voltage from arcing at least that is what I recall. Did remove tank and checked all connections points and still no spark at plugs. Plug wires ohm out OK, no shorts anywhere. Guess i will starting looking for a replacement condenser.

No Spark no start

wwitten

XS650 Enthusiast

Jim

Beyond the edge is the unknown. Here be Dragons

wwitten

XS650 Enthusiast

xjwmx

XS650 Guru

wwitten

XS650 Enthusiast

xjwmx

XS650 Guru

wwitten

XS650 Enthusiast

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